10 Easy Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes

Knock out these essential dishes a few days in advance

These make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes are designed to minimize your stress level on Thanksgiving day. The truth is cooking Thanksgiving dinner isn't hard; it's just a lot of dishes to cook. With these make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes, you can knock out side dishes, desserts, and even appetizers in advance, leaving you more time to relax and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with your family.

Everybody thinks mashed potatoes taste best when cooked and served right away, but when you make your mashed potatoes in advance, then reheat them on Thanksgiving day, they actually turn out hotter and creamier.

Serve this pumpkin bread as an appetizer or side dish for Thanksgiving dinner, which can be made a day or two before Thanksgiving. If we want to make this pumpkin bread taste fresh from the oven, warm it up at 275 F for 10 to 15 minutes. Top this pumpkin bread with flavored butter.

The only part of this sweet potato casserole that shouldn't be made ahead is the topping. You can prep the dish a day or two before Thanksgiving, then wait to add the topping and bake on Thanksgiving day.

Want to switch things up a bit this Thanksgiving? Try this pumpkin cheesecake instead of pumpkin pie. It's rich and creamy and an ideal make-ahead recipe, because it needs to cool in the refrigerator at least overnight.